Kim was a guest student of physics at Hanyang University from the age of 3 until he was 6.[1] At the age of 7 he was invited to America by NASA.[1] He finished his university studies, eventually getting a Ph.D. in physics at Colorado State University[1] before he was 15. In 1974, during his university studies, he began his research work at NASA[1] and continued this work until his return to Korea in 1978.

When he returned to Korea, he decided to switch from physics to civil engineering and eventually received a doctorate in that field. Kim was offered the chance to study at the most prestigious universities in Korea, but instead chose to attend a provincial university.